Renaultsport Silverstone GP

Following the launch last month of the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, it’s now the turn of Renault’s smaller models to get the limited edition treatment.



The Twingo and Clio Renaultsport Silverstone GP, which are available to order now, have been created specially for the UK market.

Both cars feature silver metallic paint, while the roof, mirror caps and 17” alloy wheels are all finished in black. They also get the Cup chassis, dark-tinted rear windows, black Renaultsport carpet mats, a pair of badges for the B-pillars and the Renaultsport Monitor which logs various performance parameters.



Additionally, the Twingo’s specification includes a ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler and fog light surrounds, plus a stainless steel Renaultsport exhaust system. Exclusive to the Clio version are Renaultsport Recaro front seats, the TunePoint portable music player system and Bluetooth.

Only fifty examples of each are to be produced, with the build number commemorated on a dashboard plaque. Fittingly, every buyer will also be offered a free Renaultsport Experience day at the Silverstone track.



The on the road price for the Twingo Renaultsport 133 Silverstone GP is £14,995, while the Clio Renaultsport 200 Silverstone GP costs £19,995.

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Renaultsport Silverstone GP

Following the launch last month of the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, it’s now the turn of Renault’s smaller models to get the limited edition treatment.



The Twingo and Clio Renaultsport Silverstone GP, which are available to order now, have been created specially for the UK market.

Both cars feature silver metallic paint, while the roof, mirror caps and 17” alloy wheels are all finished in black. They also get the Cup chassis, dark-tinted rear windows, black Renaultsport carpet mats, a pair of badges for the B-pillars and the Renaultsport Monitor which logs various performance parameters.



Additionally, the Twingo’s specification includes a ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler and fog light surrounds, plus a stainless steel Renaultsport exhaust system. Exclusive to the Clio version are Renaultsport Recaro front seats, the TunePoint portable music player system and Bluetooth.

Only fifty examples of each are to be produced, with the build number commemorated on a dashboard plaque. Fittingly, every buyer will also be offered a free Renaultsport Experience day at the Silverstone track.



The on the road price for the Twingo Renaultsport 133 Silverstone GP is £14,995, while the Clio Renaultsport 200 Silverstone GP costs £19,995.

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Fiat 500 TwinAir models

Fiat has decided to make the 500 TwinAir a model in its own right. The eponymous award winning two-cylinder engine continues to be available in other versions of the 500, but this latest move should help to raise the profile of this technologically advanced powertrain.



Although the TwinAir motor only has a capacity of 875 cc, MultiAir valve gear plus a turbocharger result in a power output of 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS). That’s good enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph (173 km/h).



Very respectable performance, but the TwinAir’s real forte is efficiency. Combined fuel consumption is an impressive 68.9 mpg (4.1 l/100km), while CO2 emissions are just 95 g/km.

The new 500 TwinAir model is distinguished by matt black 15” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, sports seats, a chrome exhaust and a burnished metal finish for the dashboard. Its price in the UK has been confirmed at £11,600 on the road.



Alternatively, for an extra £1,100, Fiat is offering the TwinAir Plus. Its additional specification comprises an increase in wheel size to 16”, the Blue&Me system (which includes Bluetooth, USB connectivity and an aux-in socket), body-coloured door mirror housings, automatic climate control, dark tinted windows and a leather-covered gear knob and sports steering wheel.



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Fiat 500 TwinAir models

Fiat has decided to make the 500 TwinAir a model in its own right. The eponymous award winning two-cylinder engine continues to be available in other versions of the 500, but this latest move should help to raise the profile of this technologically advanced powertrain.



Although the TwinAir motor only has a capacity of 875 cc, MultiAir valve gear plus a turbocharger result in a power output of 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS). That’s good enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph (173 km/h).



Very respectable performance, but the TwinAir’s real forte is efficiency. Combined fuel consumption is an impressive 68.9 mpg (4.1 l/100km), while CO2 emissions are just 95 g/km.

The new 500 TwinAir model is distinguished by matt black 15” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, sports seats, a chrome exhaust and a burnished metal finish for the dashboard. Its price in the UK has been confirmed at £11,600 on the road.



Alternatively, for an extra £1,100, Fiat is offering the TwinAir Plus. Its additional specification comprises an increase in wheel size to 16”, the Blue&Me system (which includes Bluetooth, USB connectivity and an aux-in socket), body-coloured door mirror housings, automatic climate control, dark tinted windows and a leather-covered gear knob and sports steering wheel.



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Audi R8 V8 Limited Edition

To celebrate its recent victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, Audi has created the R8 V8 Limited Edition.



Based on the Coupé, just 100 will be produced and all are coming to the UK. Prices start at £93,935 for the manual transmission version, which is exactly £6,000 more than the standard model.

So, is the Limited Edition worth the extra? Well, it gets a lot of extra kit as standard, but the answer is still a ‘maybe’.



That additional specification includes 19” titanium finish alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone preparation with seat-belt microphones, a premium Bang and Olufsen audio system, the Audi Music Interface, satellite navigation, an interior light package and the Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension system.



Plus, buyers will be able to choose from any of the normally optional metallic or pearl effect paint colours at no extra charge. Alternatively, they could go for a Titanium Metallic finish which is unique to the Limited Edition, although somewhat bizarrely it will cost more. The interior is upholstered in Black Fine Nappa Leather, with crimson red panels and red stitching.



Put all of that lot on a normal R8 V8 and the options bill would add up to at least £8,500. That makes the Limited Edition seem like good value - but only if all of its extra equipment was actually wanted in the first place.



Orders for the R8 V8 Limited Edition can be placed from July, and it will be available with either manual or R tronic automated manual transmissions. Deliveries are then expected to begin in October.



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Audi R8 V8 Limited Edition

To celebrate its recent victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, Audi has created the R8 V8 Limited Edition.



Based on the Coupé, just 100 will be produced and all are coming to the UK. Prices start at £93,935 for the manual transmission version, which is exactly £6,000 more than the standard model.

So, is the Limited Edition worth the extra? Well, it gets a lot of extra kit as standard, but the answer is still a ‘maybe’.



That additional specification includes 19” titanium finish alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone preparation with seat-belt microphones, a premium Bang and Olufsen audio system, the Audi Music Interface, satellite navigation, an interior light package and the Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension system.



Plus, buyers will be able to choose from any of the normally optional metallic or pearl effect paint colours at no extra charge. Alternatively, they could go for a Titanium Metallic finish which is unique to the Limited Edition, although somewhat bizarrely it will cost more. The interior is upholstered in Black Fine Nappa Leather, with crimson red panels and red stitching.



Put all of that lot on a normal R8 V8 and the options bill would add up to at least £8,500. That makes the Limited Edition seem like good value - but only if all of its extra equipment was actually wanted in the first place.



Orders for the R8 V8 Limited Edition can be placed from July, and it will be available with either manual or R tronic automated manual transmissions. Deliveries are then expected to begin in October.



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Toyota launches Etios Liva

Toyota has unveiled the Etios Liva, its first ever hatchback for the Indian market.



Aimed at younger buyers, the new arrival will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from Rs 3,99,000 to Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom in Delhi).

Although based on the existing Etios Saloon, the hatchback’s 1,197 cc four-cylinder engine is smaller and marginally less powerful, producing 78 bhp (59 kW / 80 PS) and 104 Nm (76 lb/ft) of torque. Average fuel economy is better though, at 51.7 mpg (18.3 km/l / 5.5 l/100km).



Visually the two cars are very similar, apart from their unique rear ends. Its body style means that the Etios Liva is less practical for luggage carrying, and boot space is down from the saloon’s 595 litres to 251 litres for the hatchback. Ground clearance is 170 mm, and there’s chip resistant paint on vulnerable underside areas.

To appeal more to its target audience, the range-topping VX version gets a subtle aero kit made up of a roof spoiler, side skirts and bumper skirts. All models apart from the entry-level J specification feature keyless entry, central locking, electric windows and electric power steering with tilt adjustment for the steering column.



The Toyota Etios Liva is available now.



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Toyota launches Etios Liva

Toyota has unveiled the Etios Liva, its first ever hatchback for the Indian market.



Aimed at younger buyers, the new arrival will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from Rs 3,99,000 to Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom in Delhi).

Although based on the existing Etios Saloon, the hatchback’s 1,197 cc four-cylinder engine is smaller and marginally less powerful, producing 78 bhp (59 kW / 80 PS) and 104 Nm (76 lb/ft) of torque. Average fuel economy is better though, at 51.7 mpg (18.3 km/l / 5.5 l/100km).



Visually the two cars are very similar, apart from their unique rear ends. Its body style means that the Etios Liva is less practical for luggage carrying, and boot space is down from the saloon’s 595 litres to 251 litres for the hatchback. Ground clearance is 170 mm, and there’s chip resistant paint on vulnerable underside areas.

To appeal more to its target audience, the range-topping VX version gets a subtle aero kit made up of a roof spoiler, side skirts and bumper skirts. All models apart from the entry-level J specification feature keyless entry, central locking, electric windows and electric power steering with tilt adjustment for the steering column.



The Toyota Etios Liva is available now.



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